Question:
Excess Skin on Face

Hi, I'm 6 months out of gastric ,33 years old, and have lost 122pds. I still have another 80 or so pounds to loose. I notied today some sagging skin under my eyes, specifically more noticable under my left eye. I also see new lines at the bottom of my cheecks and on my chin. any suggestions on what to do? I have an am and pm beaty regimant that doesn't seem to be helping! Has anyone out there experienced this? or has had a face lift to resolve?    — Holly F. (posted on October 22, 2008)


October 22, 2008
Ok DONT laugh at me and Dont think im crazy ( i did both when my mom told me this) My mom is 53 and has no major wrinkles or sagging on her skin...so when I asked her what does she use because since my RNY and losing 60 pounds my jaws look droopy. She said she uses preperation H ( the hemmriod cream) she puts a little on the areas that tend to droop (eyes, cheeks) and then tapes them up for the night. I was like are you kidding I am not going to bed with tape on my face with butt cream! But she swears it works! My hubby said he wont sleep in the bed with me if I do it because he wont be able to stop laughing so I havent tried it yet....But she said thats why she doesnt sag! If you try it let me know! I'll walk around like that while he's at work if I can get a second opinoin that it works!
   — Kimberlin Katayama

October 22, 2008
I have heard about the Prep-H before and know a lady that swears by it. But when she gets too hot (like at an outside barbeque) it turns white and she has to run for the A/C. Hey! It's worth a try!
   — GlitterGal

October 22, 2008
Believe it or not, exercise helps over time. You use the muscles in your face when you use weights and do work outs...I also use face cream with copper peptides to help...I exfoliate and keep up with drinking a lot of water (clear regular water daily) Sugar is BAD for skin! Ages you quicker! Smoking does too! ...I also take a B-100 once a week for skin, hair and nails. I love the face firming cream from Kohls Dept stores too (it's called Good Skin-All Firm) ...It has pearly highlights in it that makes your skin GLOW and look so young and dewy...and is SP15...It's a little pricy at $22 for a little teeny engagement ring box, size tub, but I just love it and a little goes a long way...It totally evens out skin tone and hydrates quite nicely. (remember in the day when us teen girls used powders so we weren't so shiny? Well here's a GREAT bit of advice...Powder on us older gals makes us look dead and morgue-like...WE WANT that dewy shine for a youthful look and glow...so don't avoid it! Embrace shiny happy skin! LOL) I use neutrogena night firming with copper at night on face...and as a everyday all over body moisturizer I like Aveeno Active Naturals (with copper peptide) or Nivea with CO-Q-10 skin firming. I got blessed with good genes and dumb luck, I think, but I did notice a total change in my skin with time, exercise and a good face cream. I had dark circles and saggy face and neck and under eyes, uneven skin tone...I looked sickly the first year....Stay out of the sun (use a serious sun screen!)...Use a bronzer if you want color! Take vits too! They get rid of the dark droopy circles...water hydrates...creams keep you hydrated...exfoliate dead lifeless skin...I use green tea bags on age spots too! I drink the tea and use the warm bag under my eyes or on sun freckles and age spots! The first year you lose a lot of muscle mass...including the muscle tone in your face...many of us look drawn and gaunt the first year...After you can eat more and get more protein and the weight slows down to a more healthy normal rate...you will begin to rebuild some muscle with exercise... So give yourself some time...It get's better...I'm 44 and I've done all I can with my face...Age just wants to take over! My biggest hang up is my neck (under chin) Loose turkey thing drives me crazy! I hate it! Makes me look my age! Still, I reversed aging signs tremendously over the last 4+ years...ALSO I almost forgot...when I sleep I am very aware of how my face rests on the pillow and avoid schrunching skin...I sleep in a way that my face will not wrinkle or crease...On your back is the best...but I can't sleep for long on my back...I had begun this when my mom's bed face wrinkles stopped going away as she got older! I do not have bed face creases! I am soooooo focused and determined that I will wake if my face is crinkled in anyway! LOL I think you have to train yourself to do this...determination I think...I sleep with my hand tucked under my chin/jaw bone so my head is the only thing that touches the pillow...My face is never on the pillow! While you can't stop aging, you can slow it down tremendously! I do whatever it takes...even changed the way I sleep! Quit smoking or sitting in a room with other smokers...wear sun block all year long...exfoliate with luffa and face washes with sandy scrubby stuff...Drink til you feel fish gils growing...It's work! Probably would be easier to just get a face lift for SURE! I don't want to go under the knife again... I'm scared to death of plastics! I'll just age as gracefully as I can and just let it happen...but avoid it as much as HUMANLY possible! LOL Sorry so long! Just want to help!
   — .Anita R.

October 22, 2008
I'm an Avon girl...have been all of my life. I don't get into all the hype about every new product...but have noticed that certain things work better than others. Exfoliating and keeping yourself hydrated helps tremendously. Sleeping on your back, helps too. As far as creams go....I like anything that plumps the wrinkles...and currently what's working for me is the Avon ANEW Rejuvenating Night Cream, and then I use something with retinol in it during the day. My foundation has an SPF so I don't worry about it in my cream. I also use ANEW Clinical Expression Line filler on my fine lines around my mouth, crows feet near eyes, and brow lines and in between the brows, as well as the smile lines or grooves on either side of the nose. It seems to help a lot and my sister's, both over 50, swear by it as well. It's just an idea. I'm not selling anything....just sharing what works for me. I have sensitive skin but have no issue with these things. I just think that all of us are different with how our skin reacts to the weight loss.....I also do some face exercises....don't laugh.....but they seem to keep my neck tighter. There's a book out called "facercize" and it's rather interesting how different you'll look in just a couple of weeks of doing it daily. The only thing is....you need to always do it. Just like exercise...if you quit....things go south again! Best of luck and I'm sure once you get to where you want to be...and your skin adjusts....you'll be better equipped to determine what you'll need. Hugs....Cheryl
   — Cheryl K.

October 22, 2008
I attended a post-surgical body sculpting presentation as one of the first support groups I went to after deciding to have the surgery. The plastic surgeon who specializes in getting rid of the excess skin says "DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get any body sculpting or excess skin removal done until you are finished losing your weight.... because as the remaining weight comes off, your skin will begin to sag again." And he showed us pictures of it. One person only had 30 more pounds to lose, but had the excess skin removed anyway, and when she reached goal.... she was sagging again....
   — Erica Alikchihoo

October 23, 2008
Hi Holly! Congratulations on the huge loss! I too had "bariatric face" for about a year. While I am 11 years older than you, I was worried about the sagging face and neck. Because you are still so young, I'd say that your body's collagen stores will catch up and this will go away. I'd ask your Doc or support group what nutrition or supplements aid skin reproduction. I had that saggy look for about a year, and even though I have kept at the same weight for 3 years, my face "shrunk" to accomodate a smaller coverage area. Of course, plastic surgery is an option, but I'd give it a while (a year) until your weight evens out and your body has caught up! -dd
   — dadebrito

October 23, 2008
I was 33 also and used Aveda face care the cleanser, toning spray, and moisturizer.....if you ask an Aveda rep they will help you just their basic line, then I used a product off of HSN or QVC, called serious skin care the C line, it is actually for women over 40 but that is what I still use 5 years later. I got numerous compliments on my skin & how great I looked & healthy, etc. so I think it worked well...lol. I was too young to look older after getting healthier, was my feeling. For the sagging skin on my body I actually did a inch loss body wrap by European Body & really don't have much skin, some but not enough to get cut on again for the plastic surgery & scars involved with that. They also now offer a treatment called endermologie that actually works like liposuction but without surgery that combines with the body wrap, I took one treatment just to test it & actually went down another size..lol. Hope this helps if you have any questions feel free to pm me or email me. I figured I was taking care of the inside I needed to do so on the outside also & was not real excited about more surgery. Good luck to you.
   — Faerydust1313

October 24, 2008
Congrats on your success. Keep up the good work. I have heard prep. H does work. Also, find face cream or body lotion with colagen elastin, it works if you use it. I know it worked on my arms or chicken wings. Don't forget, the best thing for your body is water. You're doing great.
   — donnapusser

October 26, 2008
I would love to send you some pictures of friends. Contact me.
   — bariatricdivalatina




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